Lost Loves

Chapter 17

Mike wanted to do something really special for Christine. He decided he wanted her to buy a new engagement ring to go along with the wedding band that she seemed to treasure. He was just horrible at picking out jewelry. So, he convinced Hannah to go out for lunch with him. Over lunch, he explained what he wanted to do and he could tell it made Hannah happy.

"What kind are you going to get her?" Hannah asked.

"Some sort of diamond, I suppose." Mike answered.

"Dad, wouldn't it be cool to get her a ring with our birthstones?" Hannah asked.

"Sweetie; that's a Mother's ring. We can look at getting her one for Mother's Day but I wanted this to be just from me." Mike said.

"Okay. I can help pick out a really pretty ring, then. And I'll get to help with the Mother's ring?" Hannah asked.

"Absolutely." Mike answered.

"I can't wait for Christmas. I want to bake cookies and go to Midnight Mass and hear you sing 'Silent Night.' I want to see the twins open presents. I bet it's the first time they'll have Christmas…I just wish it wasn't April." Hannah said. Mike ate French Fry and thought for a long moment.

"Who says we have to wait?" Mike asked.

"Dad, it's April." Hannah said.

"But you, Katie and your mom missed a lot of Christmas's and the twins probably never had a proper one. Who says it has to be in December? This could be a make up one. You would just have to wait on Midnight Mass until Christmas Eve." Mike said.

"And it might give you a special occasion to give Mom this ring?" Hannah suggested.

"Yes." Mike said. It was actually a good idea and it was something he was wondering about before Hannah had suggested it. Now he just had to get Christine on board. He didn't even care to do all the shopping. They finished lunch and went to a nearby jewelry store where he found the perfect ring. Not too big. Just right for Christine, while still being nicer than her first and much cheaper engagement ring.

Hannah agreed to hide the ring for him and so when they got home; she headed it upstairs. Mike found Christine in the kitchen mixing up a cake with Sophia.

"Hey, how was lunch?" Christine asked. Mike gave her a gentle kiss before tickling Sophia's foot.

"Good. What do you think about doing Christmas soon?" Mike asked.

"Mike; its April?" Christine retorted.

"What's Christmas?" Sophia asked. Both Mike and Christine looked at her for a long moment.

"Christmas will be in April this year." Christine remarked. He nodded and smiled at Sophia.

"There's cookies and a pretty tree. Presents and a big dinner and all kinds of fun stuff, Sophia. The real Christmas is in December but we're doing a make-up Christmas this year in April." Mike explained.

"More importantly, it's a time for family and its to celebrate Jesus's birth." Christine explained.

"What's Jesus?" Sophia asked.

"Oh, boy." Mike said.

"Mike, can you go back out to the bookstore and find some sort of storybook for little kids to teach them about Jesus? Do you remember having a similar book when Katie, Hannah and Lucas were small?" Christine asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Katie?" Mike yelled up the stairs.

"She should be able to help you. Thanks." Christine said. She leaned up and gave Mike another kiss before he kissed the top of Sophia's head. Katie joined them and Mike led her out after Christine explained what she wanted. Katie knew exactly what to get and was excited that she might get a book of her own out of the trip. He agreed with Christine. Before they celebrated Christmas, they needed to teach the twins what Christmas actually meant.